Bed with an Apparatus for Securing an Adjustable Base Support to a Mattress

ABSTRACT

A bed is disclosed having an adjustable base support with an adjustable panel adapted for adjustment between raised and lowered positions, a mattress positioned on top of the adjustable based support, and a mattress retainer disposed under the mattress between the adjustable base support and the mattress. The mattress retainer holds the mattress in a constrained position in relationship to the adjustable base support as the adjustable base support panel is adjusted between raised and lowered positions.

BACKGROUND

(1) Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains to a bed with an apparatus for securing an adjustable base support to a mattress.

(2) Description of the Related Art

Adjustable beds are known in the art and provide improved comfort for the user by permitting the user to selectively adjust the sleeping surface to different positions. Generally, these adjustable beds comprise an adjustable base support mounted on a bed frame with a mattress supported on the adjustable base support. The adjustable base support generally includes one or more adjustable panels. A typical construction for the adjustable base support may include between three and five adjustable panels. The adjustable panels are adjustable from a horizontal or lowered position to various raised positions which correspond to various raised and lowered positions of the mattress, thereby providing a comfort position for the bed that may be adjusted as desired by the user. The adjustable panels may be adjusted manually, for instance, via a hank crank operatively connected to individual panels, or more typically, via linkages actuated by motors provided in a base of the bed frame.

When the adjustable base support panels are adjusted to raised and/or lowered positions, the mattress has a tendency to shift or slide along its length or longitudinal axis on the adjustable based support unless it is constrained. In the past, mattresses used on adjustable beds have been constrained by a plate or a rail disposed at the foot of the bed frame that extends upwardly alongside the foot of the mattress. Besides detracting from the aesthetic appearance of the bed, the plate or rail also creates a barrier at the foot of the bed which may be uncomfortable to persons who are sitting on the edge of the mattress. Therefore, what is needed is a mattress retainer for use with adjustable beds which overcomes these and other drawbacks of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a mattress retainer suited for use with adjustable beds to constrain movement of a mattress relative to an adjustable base support when (a) panel(s) of the adjustable base support is(are) adjusted to raised and lowered positions.

In one aspect of the invention a bed is provided. The bed comprises an adjustable base support with an adjustable panel adapted for adjustment between raised and lowered positions, a mattress positioned on top of the adjustable base support, and a mattress retainer disposed under the mattress between the adjustable base support and the mattress. The mattress retainer holds the mattress in a constrained position in relationship to the adjustable base support as the adjustable base support is adjusted between raised and lowered positions.

The mattress retainer may comprise a loop and a generally “j”-shaped bracket where the bracket has an elongated portion with proximal and distal ends and an engagement portion with proximal and distal ends. The bracket engagement portion proximal end may be spaced from the bracket elongated portion proximal end by an end wall that defines a space between the elongated portion and the engagement portion with a dimension to enable the engagement portion to engage the loop. The loop may be formed on an underside of the mattress, and the bracket may be secured to a top surface of the adjustable base support.

In another aspect of the invention, a bed is provided with an adjustable base support with an adjustable panel adapted for adjustment between raised and lowered positions, a mattress positioned on top of the adjustable base support, and a mattress retainer holding the mattress in a constrained position relative to the adjustable base support as the adjustable base is adjusted between raised and lowered positions. The mattress retainer comprises a bracket and a loop engaging the bracket. The bracket is formed on one of either the mattress or the adjustable base support and the loop is formed on the other of either the mattress or adjustable base support.

In another aspect of the invention, the bracket may be secured to the adjustable base support with the elongated portion proximal end generally oriented away from an edge of the adjustable base support and the elongated portion distal end generally oriented toward the edge of the adjustable base support.

The bed may further comprise a second loop and a second bracket positioned across a width of the bed on an opposite longitudinal edge of the bed. In accordance with this aspect of the invention, the second bracket has a general “j”-shape with an elongated portion having proximal and distal ends and an engagement portion having proximal and distal ends. The engagement portion proximal end may be spaced from the elongated portion proximal end by an end wall that defines a space between the elongated portion and the engagement portion with a dimension to enable the engagement portion to engage the second loop.

In another aspect of the invention, an adjustable base support for a bed is provided. The adjustable base support has an adjustable panel adapted for adjustment between raised and lowered positions. The adjustable base has a top side and a bracket secured to the top side inboard of an edge of the adjustable base support. The bracket has a general “j”-shape including an elongated portion with proximal and distal ends and an engagement portion with proximal and distal ends. The engagement portion proximal end is spaced from the elongated portion proximal end by an end wall. The end wall defines a space between the elongated portion and the engagement portion. The space is dimensioned to enable the engagement portion to engage a loop formed on an underside of a mattress when a mattress is attached to the adjustable base support in assembling the bed, thereby holding the mattress in a fixed position relative to the adjustable base support as the adjustable base support panel is adjusted between raised and lowered positions.

Further objects and features are revealed in the following detailed description of the embodiments and in the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a bed with a panel of a adjustable base support in a raised position and a mattress held in a constrained position relative to the adjustable base support by a mattress retainer disposed between the mattress and the adjustable base support;

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the mattress retainer as shown in detail area 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the adjustable base support of the bed of FIG. 1 with two brackets comprising the mattress retainer secured to a top surface of the adjustable base support inboard of opposite longitudinal edges of the base support;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the bracket of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the bracket of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 shows a top view of the bracket of FIG. 4.

Corresponding reference numbers indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

A bed 20 equipped with a mattress retainer as disclosed herein is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The bed 20 comprises an adjustable base support 22 having at least one panel 24 that may be raised and lowered via linkages (not shown). A mattress 26 is placed over the adjustable base support 22 and held in a constrained position with a mattress retainer 30 as the adjustable base support panel(s) 24 is(are) adjusted between raised and lowered positions. The mattress retainer 30 is disposed under the mattress 26 between the adjustable base support 22 and the mattress. The mattress retainer 30 may solely constrain the mattress in position on the adjustable base support.

FIG. 2 provides further detail of an embodiment of the mattress retainer 30 comprising a bracket 32 secured to a top surface 34 of the adjustable base support 22 and a loop 36 formed in an underside 38 of the mattress 26. The loop 36 may be a fabric loop sewn directly into the mattress underside 38. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the relative position of these components may be reversed such that the bracket is formed on the underside of the mattress and the loop is formed on the top surface of the adjustable base support. The mattress retainer 30 may also include other releasable locking mechanisms in addition to the bracket and loop arrangement shown in the drawings, for instance, a hook and a loop, a hook and a sleeve, or a pivoting connection such as a ball and socket. FIG. 2 shows only one bracket and loop. However, as shown in FIG. 3, two brackets and two cooperating loops—one on each side of the bed—may be used as a mattress retainer.

FIG. 3 provides further detail of the adjustable base support 22 and the brackets comprising the mattress retainer secured to the adjustable base support. The adjustable base support 22 has longitudinal edges 40,42 (left and right in FIG. 3) separated by a width 44 of the adjustable base support. Each of the brackets comprising the mattress retainer is secured to the adjustable base support inboard of its respective longitudinal edges 40,42 of the adjustable base support. Each bracket 32 may be positioned toward a top (or head) 46 of the adjustable base support, for instance, thirty-two (32) inches from the top of the adjustable base support which is generally over eighty (80) inches long. Preferably, the brackets are positioned sufficiently inboard of the edges 40,42 so as to not detract from the appearance and comfort of the mattress when a user rests near the longitudinal edge of the mattress.

As discussed above, the mattress retainer 30 may be employed in pairs comprising like brackets. Because the brackets are the same, only one bracket will be described in detail. FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 provide detail on the bracket 32. The bracket has a general “j”-shape including an elongated portion 52 with opposite proximal and distal ends 54,56 and an engagement portion 58 with opposite proximal and distal ends 60,62 separated by an end wall 64. As shown in FIG. 2, the elongated portion 52 is secured to the adjustable base support 22 and the engagement portion 58 is adapted for releasably attaching the bracket 30 to the loop 36 of the mattress 26, as will be described in greater detail below. The length of the elongated portion 52 is sized sufficiently to allow it to be firmly secured to the adjustable base support 22. As shown in FIG. 5, two holes 66 are provided adjacent the distal end 56 of the elongated portion to accept mechanical fasteners such as lug nuts to allow the bracket to secured directly into a load bearing member of the adjustable base support. In addition to providing an access area for installation of the mechanical fasteners, the elongated portion length, width and thickness are sized to withstand bending and twisting forces from the mattress as it is adjusted between raised and lowered positions, and used by the user.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, bracket end wall 64 creates a space 68 between the elongated portion 52 and the engagement portion 58 having a dimension that corresponds to a thickness of the loop 36. The engagement portion 58 may have a tongue 70 at its distal end 62 to facilitate directing the engagement portion distal end through the loop. The tongue may lock the engagement portion distal end to the elongated portion thereby securing the loop in the space, for instance, via a nib on the tongue that engages a detent on the elongated portion (not shown). The bracket may be made from a resilient material to allow compression of the space 68 when the mattress is loaded thereby ensuring a positive and secure connection between the engagement portion and loop. Preferably, the elongated portion, end wall and engagement portion are formed integrally, and more preferably, the elongated portion, end wall and engagement portion are formed monolithically. For instance, the bracket may be made from a 12 gauge steel flat stock, or other relatively strong and resilient material, such as plastic or PVC. Other cross sectional shapes and materials may be used to reduce the bending moment and flexing that may be induced in the mattress when it is loaded.

Referring to FIG. 3, the bracket 32 may be secured to the adjustable base support 22 with the elongated portion proximal end 54 generally oriented away from the longitudinal edges 40,42 of the adjustable base support and the elongated portion distal end 56 generally oriented toward the edges of the adjustable base support. This arrangement orients the bracket with its open end outward toward the longitudinal sides 40,42 of the adjustable base support, thereby allowing viewing of the engagement of the engagement portion 58 and the loop 36 from an edge of the bed without obstruction from the bracket end wall 64. The bracket orientation may also be reversed.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, when installing the mattress 26 on the adjustable base support 22, the mattress is positioned over the adjustable base support such that the loop 36 on the mattress underside 38 is aligned with the bracket 32. The mattress 26 is lifted up and away from the adjustable base support 22 in the area of the mattress retainer 30 to provide access to the loop 36 and bracket 32. The mattress is lifted such that the loop 36 is directed over the bracket engagement portion 58 for each bracket and loop. The mattress 26 is then released allowing the space 68 to be compressed under the weight of the mattress and thus securing the engagement portion through the loop.

By providing two brackets on the adjustable base support and two loops on the mattress, a wide mattress may be constrained in position relative to the adjustable base support. However, a mattress retainer comprising one bracket and one loop may also be positioned toward the center of a relatively narrow mattress to provide the same level of constraint. For instance, the mattress retainer may comprise one loop and one bracket that are sized to extend across a width of the bed sufficient to provide the appropriate level of constraint. The mattress retainer may also comprise one bracket with a relatively long engagement portion that cooperates with a plurality of loops spaced apart at various positions across a width of the mattress. The mattress retainer may also be provided at an edge corresponding to the width of the bed, for instance, the top or head. The mattress retainer may also comprise multiple brackets and cooperating loops positioned at various locations on the adjustable bed support and mattress.

Various other changes to the embodiments described herein may be envisioned by those of ordinary skill in the art. However, those changes and modifications should be considered as part of the invention which is limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto and their legal equivalents. 

1. A bed comprising: an adjustable base support with an adjustable panel adapted for adjustment between raised and lowered positions, a mattress positioned on top of the adjustable base support, and a mattress retainer disposed under the mattress between the adjustable base support and the mattress, the mattress retainer holding the mattress in a constrained position in relationship to the adjustable base support as the adjustable base support panel is adjusted between raised and lowered positions.
 2. The bed of claim 1 wherein the mattress retainer comprises a loop and a generally “j”-shaped bracket, the bracket having an elongated portion with proximal and distal ends and an engagement portion with proximal and distal ends, the engagement portion proximal end being spaced from the elongated portion proximal end by an end wall, the end wall defining a space between the elongated portion and the engagement portion that is dimensioned to enable the engagement portion to engage the loop.
 3. The bed of claim 2 wherein the loop is formed on an underside of the mattress, and the bracket is secured to a top surface of the adjustable base support.
 4. The bed of claim 3 wherein the bracket is secured to the adjustable base support with the elongated portion proximal end generally oriented away from an edge of the adjustable base support and the elongated portion distal end generally oriented toward the edge of the adjustable base support.
 5. The bed of claim 3 wherein the bracket is secured to the adjustable base support inboard of an edge of the adjustable base support a distance sufficient to not substantially detract from a comfort level of a user positioned adjacent the edge of the adjustable base support.
 6. The bed of claim 3 wherein the loop is sewn to the underside of the mattress.
 7. The bed of claim 2 further comprising a second loop and second bracket positioned across a width of the bed on an opposite longitudinal edge of the bed, the second bracket being generally “j”-shaped, the second bracket having an elongated portion with proximal and distal ends and an engagement portion with proximal and distal ends, the engagement portion proximal end being spaced from the elongated portion proximal end by an end wall, the end wall defining a space between the elongated portion and the engagement portion that is dimensioned to enable the engagement portion to engage the second loop.
 8. The bed of claim 2 wherein the bracket is of monolithic construction.
 9. The bed of claim 2 wherein the bracket is made of a resilient material such that the space between the elongated portion and the engagement portion is compressible under load.
 10. The bed of claim 1 wherein solely the mattress retainer holds the mattress in the constrained position in relation to the adjustable base support.
 11. A bed comprising an adjustable base support with an adjustable panel adapted for adjustment between raised and lowered positions, a mattress positioned on top of the adjustable base support, and a mattress retainer holding the mattress in a constrained position relative to the adjustable base support as the adjustable base support panel is adjusted between raised and lowered positions, the mattress retainer comprising a bracket and a loop engaging the bracket, the bracket being formed on one of either the mattress or the adjustable base support and the loop being formed on the other of either the mattress or adjustable base support.
 12. The bed of claim 11 wherein the loop is formed on an underside of the mattress and the bracket is secured to a top surface of the adjustable base support.
 13. The bed of claim 11 wherein the bracket is generally “j”-shaped with an elongated portion having proximal and distal ends and an engagement portion having proximal and distal ends, the engagement portion proximal end being spaced from the elongated portion proximal end by an end wall, the end wall defining a space between the elongated portion and the engagement portion that is dimensioned to enable the engagement portion to hook the loop.
 14. The bed of claim 13 wherein the bracket is secured to the adjustable base support with the elongated portion proximal end generally oriented away from an edge of the adjustable base support and the elongated portion distal end generally oriented toward the edge of the adjustable base support.
 15. The bed of claim 13 further comprising a second loop and a second bracket positioned across a width of the bed on an opposite longitudinal edge of the bed, the second bracket being generally “j”-shaped, the second bracket having an elongated portion with proximal and distal ends and an engagement portion with proximal and distal ends, the engagement portion proximal end being spaced from the elongated portion proximal end by an end wall, the end wall defining a space between the elongated portion and the engagement portion that is dimensioned to enable the engagement portion to engage the second loop.
 16. The bed of claim 11 wherein the bracket is of monolithic construction.
 17. The bed of claim 11 wherein the bracket is made of a resilient material such that the space between the elongated portion and the engagement portion is compressible under a load.
 18. The bed of claim 11 wherein solely the mattress retainer holds the mattress in the constrained position in relation to the base support.
 19. An adjustable base support having an adjustable panel adapted for adjustment between raised and lowered positions, the adjustable base support having a top side and a bracket secured to the top side inboard of an edge of the base support, the bracket having a general “j”-shape including an elongated portion with proximal and distal ends and an engagement portion with proximal and distal ends, the engagement portion proximal end being spaced from the elongated portion proximal end by an end wall, the end wall defining a space between the elongated portion and the engagement portion, the space being dimensioned to enable the engagement portion to engage a loop formed on an underside of a mattress when a mattress is attached to the adjustable base support in assembling the bed, thereby holding the mattress in a fixed position relative to the adjustable base support as the adjustable base support panel is adjusted between raised an lowered positions.
 20. The adjustable base support of claim 19 further comprising a second generally “j”-shaped bracket secured to the top side of the adjustable base support across a width of the bed on an opposite longitudinal edge of the bed, the bracket including an elongated portion with proximal and distal ends and an engagement portion with proximal and distal ends, the engagement portion proximal end being spaced from the elongated portion proximal end by an end wall, the end wall defining a space between the elongated portion and the engagement portion, the space being dimensioned to enable the engagement portion to engage a second loop formed on the underside of the mattress. 